A sweet, spirited ten-year-old embarks upon the adventure of first friendship in this sparkling debut

Prairie Evers is finding that socialization isn't all it's cracked up to be. She's been homeschooled by her granny and has learned the most from traipsing through nature. But now she has to attend public school, and feels just like her chickens--cooped up and subject to the pecking order. School is a jolt for Prairie until she meets Ivy, her first true friend. But while raising chickens and the great outdoors have given Prairie wisdom and perspective, nothing has prepared her for the give and take of friendship. When Prairie finds out that Ivy's home may not be the best place for Ivy, Prairie must corral all her optimism and determination to hatch a plan to help.

Fabulous writing and a narrator full of personality distinguish this lively middle-grade novel. (Amazon)

Book Review

Prairie Evers warms your heart and makes you smile. It is an inspiring story of love, friendship, letting go, and discovering yourself.

Prairie recently moved to New Paltz, New York with her mother, father, and grandmother. Prairie hasn't adjusted to her new home yet, but at least she has her grandmother with whom she shares a special bond. That is until her grandmother declares New Paltz is not for her and she is heading back to North Carolina. Prairie's world is turned upside down. Now, she must attend school for the first time, in a town she isn't ready to call home, without the security of her grandmother. But, life has a funny way of working out and soon Prairie has her very first best friend, Ivy. Prairie and Ivy are like peas and carrots, they just go together, so when Ivy's mom gets engaged and announces they're moving, Prairie knows she has to find a solution.

I was especially drawn to the bond Prairie shares with her grandmother, as I too have a close relationship with my grandmother and had to move away from her at a young age. I know the devastation Prairie feels in this situation. As with Prairie, life continues and a new chapter opened just as it does for her.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from beginning to end. Prairie learns the joys and pain of being a good friend, which is something we can all identify with. She learns responsibility as she cares for her chickens and begins selling their eggs. She discovers that life isn't always easy and more times than not our hearts will be broken, but she also realizes that every cloud has a silver lining. Prairie Evers is a feel good book that will leave your heart smiling.

I highly recommend picking up a copy of Prairie Evers. Available at Amazon. Don't forget to enter the giveaway below for your chance to win a copy of Prairie Evers by Ellen Airgood.

Watch the Prairie Evers Book Video Trailer

About the Author: Ellen Airgood

I grew up on a small farm, the youngest of four children. My father was a blacksmith and a schoolteacher. For the last nineteen years I’ve been a waitress in Grand Marais, Michigan. I was twenty-five when I came to this tiny, Lake Superior town, on a camping trip with my sister, and fell in love with the man who made my cheese sandwich and chocolate malt at the local diner. We met, exchanged assessing, almost challenging gazes, and six months later we got married. I told my sister we would, on the way back to our campsite that first day. “You’re crazy,” she said worriedly. But pretty soon she grinned, shook her head, started getting into the spirit of it. “Well,” she said. “This is going to be interesting.” And it has been. I’ve never been sorry. My husband Rick and I run a diner together, a job which is always consuming, often punishing, and hugely fulfilling. Most of what I know about maturity and compassion, not to mention story, I’ve learned from waiting tables. We work eighty to a hundred hours a week together almost year around, and one way or another we’ve faced the constant barrage of setbacks and frustrations and equipment failures that restaurant work is, the high stress and long hours. There is so much satisfaction in it, though: the goodness of hard work, the joy of feeding people a meal they love, the delight of long friendships, the pride in a job well done. All kinds of people come here from all kinds of places, and we get to meet them, to hear their stories, and pretty often we get to make them happy for the time that they are here. This is the route I took to becoming a writer. I didn’t get an MFA or study writing in school. I could have learned about life anywhere, but fate brought me here, to the end of the earth and a tiny town that time forgot. My customers have given me good practice as a storyteller, too. It’s a matter of survival. If I can entertain people, draw them over to my side, they won’t murder me when I’m the only waitress of the floor and the cook is swamped and the wait is long and we’re out of silverware and I didn’t know the fish was gone when I took their order. (ellenairgood.com).

Prairie Evers Book Givewaway

This sounds like a really sweet middle grades book. I was drawn to the description of her home schooling experience, in particular. While I wasn't homeschooled myself, I've always been interested in the idea. Plus, the close relationship with her grandmother made me think of my 2-year old. We lived with her grandparents until after her second birthday... and she still asks about them and insists that she wants to go "home" (which she told us is her Mimi and Papa's house).

Sounds like a great read for MG girls. Many kids transition from different schools to one Middle grade school and this transition can be hard. Lovely "realistic" topic. Hope to read it to DD as she gets there! Thanks for sharing a lovely review Stacie.
-Reshama

Thanks for this review. It sounds like a sweet "girl book" for my 7th grader. I enjoyed reading your bio as well. It sounds like your life is a story in itself. Joining you from the Kid Lit Blog Hop.
Hilary at Wholesome Reads

I love the emphasis on homeschooling and how it works within her life! Two of my nephews have been homeschooled, and one of them wants to return to it next school year.
Thanks for the great link, and for hosting the KLBH once again!

This sounds like a good clean read delving into topics that are completely relevant to middle grade girls. I want to read this one myself - it would totally bring back memories of my own upbringing. Thanks for sharing in the Kid Lit Blog Hop! Tweeting about your giveaway.